Strike Off Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A strike off apparatus and method for moving a blade in such an apparatus are disclosed. The strike off apparatus may comprise a frame, a collar mounted to the frame, a blade mounted to the frame and moveable from a first position to a second position, a guide disposed within the channel, and an actuator operatively connected to the guide. The actuator may be configured to move the blade from the first position to a second position. The frame and collar may define a first portion of a generally vertical channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a strike off apparatus suchas those disposed on paving machines and the like.

BACKGROUND

Typically, asphalt road paving machines have a hopper located at thefront for receiving hot asphalt paving material and a conveyor fordelivering the asphalt paving material from the hopper to the rear ofthe machine and depositing the asphalt onto the road surface to bepaved. An auger is located at the rear of the machine for distributingsome of the asphalt material laterally to the sides of the road surface.Such paving machines also include a screed and a strike off apparatus.The strike off apparatus is typically located between the auger and thescreed. The screed is used to smooth out and compress the asphalt to thedesired road mat thickness. The strike off apparatus(es) is/are used todistribute the paving material in front of the screed.

The strike-off apparatus includes a blade that is vertically adjustable.To adjust the blade, two manual screw actuators are typically utilizedto move the blade up and down. The actuators are generally located atopposite ends of the blade. Both actuators must be turned at the sametime, and at the same rate, otherwise binding of the blade occurs andthe blade becomes “stuck.” Sometimes, a set of four guide slots may beused in conjunction with the pair of actuators to help guide themovement of the blade and limit blade deflection due to asphalt load.These guides can also contribute to binding of the blade if the blade israised or lowered unevenly.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,105 issued Jan. 16, 2001 (the '105 Patent)incorporates a pair of threaded rods for raising and lowering a strikeoff blade. As shown in FIGS. 3-6 of the '105 Patent, each connectivemember includes a rod having a first end engaged with the strike offmember and a second end engaged with the screed extension. The first endmay have an exterior threaded portion that is threadably engaged withthe strike off member. The disclosure states that two connective membersare preferred because a device with a single connective member is lessrigid or stable and devices with more than two connective membersrequire an excessive amount of adjusting of the connective members. Thistype of strike off apparatus has the drawbacks discussed above. A betterdesign is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a strike off apparatusis disclosed. The strike off apparatus may comprise a frame, a collarmounted to the frame, a blade mounted to the frame, a guide disposedwithin the channel, and an actuator operatively connected to the guide.The blade may be moveable from a first position to a second position.The actuator may be configured to move the blade from the first positionto a second position. The frame and collar may define a first portion ofa generally vertical channel.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a strike offapparatus mounted to a vehicle is disclosed. The strike off apparatusmay comprise a frame, a collar mounted to the frame, the frame andcollar defining a generally vertical channel, a blade mounted to theframe, a guide mounted to the blade and disposed within the channel, andan actuator operatively connected to the guide. The blade may bemoveable from a first position to a second position. The actuator may beconfigured move the blade from a first position to a second position.The guide may include first and second generally parallel guide sideedges.

In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, a method ofmoving vertically a blade in a strike off assembly is disclosed. Thestrike off apparatus may include a frame, the blade defining an apertureand mounted to the frame, a collar mounted to the frame, the frame andthe collar defining a generally vertical channel, a guide disposedwithin the channel, and a pin disposed within the aperture. The blademay be moveable from a first position to a second position. The methodmay comprise moving the guide vertically within the channel from a firstposition to a second position, and guiding the blade movement by slidingthe blade vertically on the pin in the aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary strike off apparatusconstructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary strike off apparatusof FIG. 1 when the blade is in an exemplary first position in which theblade is fully lowered;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary strike off apparatusof FIG. 1 when the blade is in an exemplary second position in which theblade is fully raised; and

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a machine that incorporates the featuresof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to FIG. 1,there is shown a strike off apparatus constructed in accordance with thepresent disclosure and generally referred to by reference numeral 100.FIGS. 2-3 illustrate cross-sectional views of the strike off apparatus100 of FIG. 1. While the following detailed description and drawings aremade with reference to a strike off apparatus 100 used on pavingmachines, the teachings of this disclosure may be employed on otherindustrial and paving machines.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a paving machine 200 that incorporatesthe features of the present disclosure. The paving machine 200 includesframe 202, an engine 204, a ground engaging assembly 206 and drive traincomponents (not shown) mounted the frame 202. The ground engagingassembly 206 may be comprised of a track arrangement, wheels or thelike. The frame 202 may include a cab assembly 208. The paving machine200 may also include a hopper 210 for storing paving material disposednear the front of the machine 200, a screed 212 mounted to the frame 202near the rear of the machine 200, an auger 214 and a strike offapparatus 100 mounted on the machine 200.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, the strike off apparatus 100 may comprise aframe 102, a collar 104 mounted to the frame, a blade 106, a guide 108(FIGS. 2-3) and an actuator 110.

The frame 102 may include a body 112, a first sidewall 114, a secondsidewall 116 and a top wall 118 disposed between the sidewalls 114, 116.The sidewalls 114, 116 and the top wall 118 may each be disposedgenerally perpendicular to the body 112. In one embodiment, the firstand second sidewalls 114, 116 may be generally parallel to each other.The first sidewall 114 may be disposed proximal to a first edge 122 ofthe body 112 and the second sidewall 116 may be disposed proximal to asecond edge 124 of the body 112. In one embodiment, each sidewall isfixedly secured to the body by welding, or the like. The top wall 118may include a lip 120 that may overlap a portion of each sidewall 114,116.

The frame 102 may also include a first elongated support member 126 anda second elongated support member 128. The first support member 126 mayextend between the first sidewall 114 and the collar 104, and the secondsupport 128 member may extend between the collar 104 and the secondsidewall 116. The support members 126, 128 may be hollow or may besolid. In one embodiment, the support members 126, 128 may be fixedlymounted to the body by welding, or the like.

The body 112 of the frame 102 and the first sidewall 114 may define afirst slit 130. The body 112 of the frame 102 and the second sidewall116 may define a second slit 132. The first and second slits 130, 132may each be configured to receive the blade 106.

The collar 104 may be mounted to the body 112 of the frame 102. Thecollar 104 may be fixedly secured to the frame 102 by welding, or thelike. In one exemplary embodiment, the collar 104 may be a three sidedstructure with a perimeter that generally resembles a squared letter C(or a rectangle with one side removed.) The collar may have a primaryside 138 and a secondary side 140. The body 112 of the frame 102 and thecollar 104 may define a first portion 134 of a generally verticalchannel 136 (see FIGS. 2-3). In some embodiments, the collar 104 may begenerally centered on the frame 102 and the blade 106. In otherembodiments, the collar 104 may be positioned elsewhere on the frame102. For example, the collar 104 may be proximal to the center but maybe closer to the first sidewall 114 than to the second sidewall 116. Inanother embodiment, the collar 104 may be proximal to the center but maybe closer to the second sidewall 116 than to the first sidewall 114.

The blade 106 may be vertically moveable between a first 142 and asecond position 144. The blade may define a first elongated aperture 146and a second elongated aperture 148. In one embodiment, the apertures146, 148 may be slot-like in shape. Other elongated shapes may also beutilized.

The blade 106 may be mounted to the body 112 of the frame 102. In oneembodiment, the blade 106 may be generally flat. The strike offapparatus 100 may include a first attachment member 150 and a secondattachment member 152. The first attachment apparatus 150 may extendthrough the first elongated aperture 146 in the blade 106 and throughthe body 112. Similarly, the second attachment apparatus 152 may extendthrough the second elongated aperture 148 in the blade 106 and throughthe body 112. In one embodiment, each of the first and second attachmentapparatuses 150, 152 may include a spacer 151 and a pin 153 configuredto extend through the blade 106 and body 112. Each pin 153 may bereceived in one of the elongated aperture 146, 148 and the blade 106 maybe configured to slide on the pins 153. In other embodiments, othertypes of attachment apparatuses 150, 152 may be used that allow verticalmovement of the blade.

The blade 106 and the collar 104 may define a second portion 154 of thevertical channel 136. The blade may also include first and second wingedportions 156, 158. The first winged portion 156 may be slidinglydisposed in the first slit 130. The second winged portion 158 may beslidingly disposed in the second slit 132.

The guide 108 may be disposed in the vertical channel 136. In oneembodiment, the guide 108 may be generally flat and elongated in shape.The guide 108 may have first and second side edges 160, 162. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the guide 108 is generallyflat and the guide side edges 160, 162 are generally parallel andscalloped in shape. In other embodiments, the guide side edges may beother geometries than scalloped. The first guide edge 160 may beproximal to the primary side 138 of the collar 104. Similarly, thesecond guide edge 162 may be proximal to the secondary side 140 of thecollar 104. In an embodiment, the guide 108 may define a window 164. Theguide 108 may be mounted to the blade 106. In one embodiment, the window164 may be disposed on the blade 106 and the guide 108 may be secured tothe blade 106 by welding around the perimeter of the window 164.

The actuator 110 may be operatively connected to the guide 108. Morespecifically, the actuator 110 may be configured to move the blade 106from a first position 142 to a second position 144. In one embodiment,the actuator may include a rod 166 and a pocket 168. The rod 166 mayhave a threaded portion 170. The pocket 168 may define an inner wall 172having passageway threads 174 configured for mutual engagement with thethreaded portion 170 of the rod 166. The pocket may be mounted to theguide 108. In one embodiment, the pocket 168 may be welded to the guide108. Other methods of securing the pocket 168 to the guide 108 may beused. The actuator may also include a handle 176. The handle 176 may beconfigured to rotate the rod 166. Rotation of the rod 166 in onedirection causes the pocket 168 and the attached guide 108 (and theblade 106 attached to the guide) to climb up the threaded portion of therod 166. Rotation of the rod 166 in the opposite direction may cause thepocket 168 and the attached guide 108 (and blade 106) to climb down thethreaded portion 170 of the rod 166. Other actuators, such as a ratchetassembly, may also be used to raise and lower the guide 108 in thevertical channel 136.

In one embodiment, the strike off apparatus 100 may also include a rib178. The rib 178 may be secured to the first and second support members126, 128. In some embodiments, the rib 178 may also be mounted to thefirst and second sidewalls 114, 116 and to the first and second supportmembers 126, 127. The rib 178 may also be mounted to the body 112 and tothe outside surface of the collar 104. The rib 178 may be mounted in agenerally perpendicular orientation to the body 112 and the sidewalls114, 116. The rib 178 may be mounted by welding, bolting, or the like.

A method of moving the blade 106 in the above described strike offassembly 100 is also disclosed. The method may comprise moving the guide108 vertically within the channel 136, and guiding the blade 106movement by sliding the blade 106 on the pins 153 disposed in the bladeapertures 146, 148. The method may further comprise discontinuing upwardmovement of the blade 106 when the pins 153 are disposed at the lowerend 180 (best seen in FIG. 2) of the aperture 146, 148. The moving stepmay be accomplished by rotating the threaded portion 170 of the rod 166in the pocket 168 that is mounted on the guide 108. The pocket 168defining an inner wall 172 having passageway threads 174 configured formutual engagement with the threaded portion 170 of the rod 166.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure may find applicability in reducing the likelihoodthat the blade 106 of a strike off apparatus 100 binds during verticalmovement and in decreasing blade deflection during paving due to asphaltloading.

The blade 106 may be vertically raised and lowered. The actuator 110 isoperably connected to the guide 108 to move the blade 106 from a firstvertical position 142 to a second vertical position 144. The first andsecond positions 142, 144 may be any position between and including thefully lowered position and the fully raised position. The use of onesingle actuator 110 provides a single point of actuation 186 for raisingand lowering the blade 106 of the strike off apparatus 100. This singlepoint of actuation 186 eliminates binding of the blade 106 due tomultiple actuator rods (or the like) being turned at different rates orasynchronously.

To raise the blade 106 the actuator 110 is activated. In one embodiment,the actuator 110 may be a screw actuator 110 including a handle 176, athreaded rod 166 and a pocket 168 having an inner wall 172 withpassageway threads 174. Rotation of the handle 176 rotates the threadedrod 166. The handle 176 and rod 166 may be rotated in the clockwise andcounterclockwise directions. When the rod 166 is rotated in a firstdirection the engagement of the threaded rod 166 and the threads 174 ofthe pocket 168 cause the pocket 168 to climb up the rod 166. Because thepocket 168 is mounted to the guide 108, the guide 108 moves up in thevertical channel 136 as the pocket 168 moves up the rod 166. Theelongated geometry of the guide 108 provides for stability of the blade106 during vertical movement and during paving.

The first and second guide edges 160, 162 steer the movement of theguide 108 in the channel 136 and provide for relatively even movement ofthe guide 108 in the channel 136. In some embodiments, the first andsecond guide edges 160, 162 may be scalloped edges, or similar geometry,in order to decrease surface friction between the primary and secondarysides 138, 140 of the collar 104 (more, specifically the inner wall of)and the guide 108.

Because the guide 108 is mounted to the blade 106, the blade 106 moveswith the guide 108. As the blade 106 moves upward, the blade 106 slideson the pins 153 (or the like) that extend through the elongatedapertures 146, 148 and the winged portions 156, 158 of the blade 106slide upward in the slits 130, 132. Resistance of each pin 153 againstthe lower end 180 (best seen in FIG. 2) of the elongated aperture 146,148 may limit the upward distance that the blade 106 may travel.Similarly, the resistance of the blade 106 against the peak 182 (bestseen in FIG. 1) of the slits 130, 132 may limit the upward distance thatthe blade 106 may travel.

To lower the blade 106 the actuator 110 is activated. When the rod 166is rotated in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, theengagement of the threaded rod 166 and the passageway threads 174 of thepocket 168 cause the pocket 168 to climb down the rod 166 and with itthe guide 108 and blade 106.

Again, the first and second guide edges 160, 162 steer the movement ofthe guide 108 in the channel 136 and provide for relatively evenmovement of the guide 108 in the channel 136. In those embodiments inwhich the first and second guide edges 160, 162 are scalloped, or thelike, the geometry of the guide edges 160, 162 decrease surface frictionbetween the primary and secondary sides 138, 140 of the collar 104(more, specifically the inner wall of) and the guide 108.

As the blade 106 moves downward the blade 106 slides on the pins 153 (orthe like) extending through the elongated apertures 146, 148, and thewinged portions 156, 158 of the blade 106 slide downward in the slits.Resistance of each pin 153 against the upper end 184 (best seen in FIG.3) of the elongated aperture 146, 148 may limit how far the blade 106may be lowered.

During paving, the collar 104 and the guide 108 provide increasedstructural support to the blade 106 to limit distortion of the blade 106under asphalt (or the like) loads. The slits 130, 132 at either side ofthe strike off apparatus 100 provide support to the blade 106 to limitblade 106 deflection due to heavy asphalt loads. Similarly, the pins 153and elongate aperture 146, 148 arrangements assist with the positioningof the blade 106 during movement and provide attachment to the frame forsupport during paving. The sidewalls 114, 116, support members 126, 128and rib 178 also provide additional structural strength to withstandpaving loads.

The features disclosed herein may be particularly beneficial to pavingmachines 200 that utilize strike off apparatus 100 to spread asphaltloads.

1. A strike off apparatus comprising: a frame; a collar mounted to theframe, the frame and collar defining a first portion of a generallyvertical channel; a blade moveable from a first position to a secondposition, the blade disposed between the collar and the frame; asubstantially flat guide disposed within the channel, the guideincluding a window therethrough, the window having a perimeter fixedlyattached to the blade; and an actuator operatively connected to theguide, the actuator configured to move the blade from the first positionto the second position.
 2. The strike off apparatus of claim 1, in whichthe frame includes a body, and first and second generally perpendicular,spaced apart, sidewalls disposed on the body.
 3. The strike offapparatus of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall and the body define afirst slit and the second sidewall and the body define a second slit,the first and second slits each configured to receive the blade.
 4. Thestrike off apparatus of claim 2, in which the frame includes a firstelongated support member and a second elongated support member, thefirst support member extending between the first sidewall and thecollar, and the second support member extending between the collar andthe second sidewall.
 5. The strike off apparatus of claim 4, wherein thecollar is generally centered on the frame.
 6. The strike off apparatusof claim 1, wherein the blade and collar define a second portion of thevertical channel.
 7. The strike off apparatus of claim 1, wherein theblade defines first and second elongated apertures.
 8. The strike offapparatus of claim 1, in which the collar includes a primary side and asecondary side, and the guide includes a first guide side edge disposedproximal to the primary side of collar.
 9. The strike off apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the first guide side edge of the guide is scalloped.10. The strike off apparatus of claim 1, in which the actuator includesa pocket and a rod having a threaded portion, the pocket defining aninner wall having passageway threads configured for mutual engagementwith the threaded portion of the rod.
 11. The strike off apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the guide defines a window and the window is disposedon the blade.
 12. A strike off apparatus mounted to a vehicle, thestrike off apparatus comprising: a frame; a collar mounted to the frame,the frame and collar defining a generally vertical channel; a bladedisposed between the collar and the frame and moveable verticallybetween a first and second position; a substantially flat guide mountedto the blade and disposed within the channel, the guide including awindow therethrough and first and second generally parallel guide sideedges, the window having a perimeter fixedly attached to the blade; andan actuator operatively connected to the guide, the actuator configuredmove the blade from a first position to a second position.
 13. Thestrike off apparatus of claim 12, in which the vehicle is a pavingmachine.
 14. The strike off apparatus of claim 12, wherein the strikeoff apparatus has a single actuation point.
 15. The strike off apparatusof claim 12, in which the blade defines an elongated aperture.
 16. Thestrike off apparatus of claim 15, further including a pin received inthe elongated aperture, wherein the blade is configured to slide on thepin.
 17. The strike off apparatus of claim 12, wherein the guide isgenerally flat.
 18. A method of moving vertically a blade in a strikeoff apparatus, the strike off assembly including a frame, the bladedefining an aperture and disposed between a collar and the frame, thecollar mounted to the frame, the frame and the collar defining agenerally vertical channel, a substantially flat guide disposed withinthe channel, the guide including a window therethrough, the windowhaving a perimeter fixedly attached to the blade, and a pin disposedwithin the aperture, the method comprising: moving the guide verticallywithin the channel from a first position to a second position; andguiding the blade movement by sliding the blade vertically on the pin inthe aperture.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingdiscontinuing upward movement of the blade when the pin is disposed atthe lower end of the aperture, wherein the aperture is a slot.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the activating step is accomplished byrotating a rod having a threaded portion in a pocket mounted on theguide, the pocket defining an inner wall having passageway threadsconfigured for mutual engagement with the threaded portion of the rod.